My Angel Story
Disclaimer - Hey everyone, I'm back! This chapter is about Kiyoko's first battle.
The Angels have 100% HP in there gauges and I'm placing the Angelic
Layer Tournaments (Tokyo, Kantou, the Nationals) on Sundays, because I
don't know the actual info. Raishinshi is based off the original character in
Soul Hunter/Senkaiden Houshin Engi. I suggest you look at some of his
pictures so that you can get a better idea of how my Angel looks. And now,
on with the fic!
Battle 2: "Let's Go, Raishinshi! Kiyoko's First Fight!"
Beeeeep! Beeeeep!
Kiyoko moaned as she turned over in her bed and reached out for her nightstand. After a few misses, her hand finally connected with her alarm clock. She fumbled around it until she finally found the 'Off' button and then promptly turned it off. Sighing, Kiyoko rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep.
"Kiyoko! Wake up!" a voice called from downstairs, "school's going to start in 30 minutes!"
Upon hearing the 's' word, Kiyoko shot up in her bed without hesitation.
"Oh my gosh! I almost forgot!" she cried, scrambling from out of the covers.
As soon as she got untangled, she looked up. Sunlight was seeping through the closed, rose curtains that covered her balcony window. Packages were lying out on the floor, a pair of scissor and pictures of Anime characters were scattered on the floor, and Kiyoko spotted a laptop and another device sitting atop her desk. Kiyoko looked at them closely.
(That's right,) she reminded herself, (I was so excited, I must have forgotten to clean up.)
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she nearly had a heart-attack.
"Raishinshi!" she cried, looking around, frantically.
Where did she put him? She couldn't remember where she placed him. After tearing up her bed looking for him, she finally found him. He wasn't in her bed, but on her nightstand. He was in a sitting position, his left leg was propped up on his right leg, which was hanging off the nightstand, his left hand rested on his raised leg, and his other hand helped to prop him up. He still looked like he was sleeping.
Smiling, Kiyoko ran over to her window, and spread the curtains, letting the sunlight flow in. One ray landed on her nightstand, where her Angel slept. She walked over to him and gently picked him up. Even then, he still looked as if he was asleep. Kiyoko smiled at her Angel.
"Good Morning, Raishinshi!" she said, cheerfully.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mrs. Yume looked up as Kiyoko came bounding down the stairs. She was dressed in a school uniform: a white top with a crown badge on the left side and blue sleeve cuffs, a short white and blue in-lined skirt, long blue stockings, and white shoes. It was the middle school uniform for Eriol Academy. Aya was also downstairs, seated at the dinner table where she was currently eating waffles. Kiyoko hopped over to her seat and sat down, placing Raishinshi on the table next to her. Aya stared at him.
"Why'd you bring your 'doll' to the table?" she asked, dully.
Kiyoko made a face at her and plucked a waffle from the stack in front of her.
"He's coming to school with me," she clarified, placing the waffle on her plate.
Mrs. Yume turned to her youngest daughter.
"Do they allow that?" she asked, moving away from the stove.
Kiyoko nodded as she poured syrup on her waffle.
"As long as we don't play with them," she assured.
"Why even bring it in the first place?" Aya asked, stuffing a waffle piece into her mouth.
Kiyoko whipped her head at her sister, obviously mad at what she said.
"First of all, Raishinshi isn't an 'it', he's a 'he'," she firmly stated, "and secondly, I told Tamiko I'd bring him today."
Mrs. Yume approached the table and took her seat across from the girls.
"Well, I'm sure the two of you will be the talk of the day," she said, politely, taking a couple waffles from the stack.
Kiyoko, her mouth filled with waffle, nodded while Aya simply rolled her eyes.
"Oh, by the way Mom," Kiyoko said, swallowing her waffle, "I won't be coming straight home after school."
Mrs. Yume looked up from her breakfast.
"Oh? Where are you going then?" she asked, "over Tamiko's house?"
Smiling, Kiyoko shook her head.
"Nope," she said, "Piffle Princess!"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Eriol Academy was a big school complex, painted red and white, and was a school that had grades K-12. Kids off all ages were roaming around the schoolyards, the lunch areas, and some hung out around the gym. Kindergarteners were cluttered around the playground while Elementary kids chatted in small groups around the main building. Kids in Middle school and High School were either in the lunch areas or inside, in the hallways. No one paid attention to the small brunette running through the school grounds, looking for her friend.
(She's not in the cafeteria or by the gym, so she must be in class,) Kiyoko surmised, heading for the main building.)
The Kindergarten area was farther down and wasn't connected to the main building, neither was the Elementary building. The Middle School and High School building were in the same building, though. Kiyoko had been going since she was 5 and she and Tamiko were always together. They also had the same classes together. Tamiko had gotten her Angel first and had participated in a lot of tournaments. She had earned a name for herself in the Layer, just like all the other star Deus'. That was Kiyoko's dream now.
Entering the building, Kiyoko immediately headed for her 1st Period class, Mrs. Natana's English class. It was all the way down the hall, but Kiyoko was to excited to mind the distance she ran, or the people who she bumped into in the process. She ran up to the room and flung the door open. Inside was a small group of students, all dressed up in uniforms just like her. Of course, the boys had pants instead of skirts. Amid the students, in the middle of the second row, there was seated a girl with blond hair set in a ponytail and clear hazel eyes. Kiyoko beamed upon seeing her.
"Tamiko!" she called, waving.
The girl looked up, smiled, and waved back.
"Hey Kiyoko!" she called back as her friend ran up to her, "did you bring him?"
Kiyoko smiled and reached into her bag.
"Yep," she said, pulling her Angel out, "here he is."
Tamiko gave a smile as wide as Kiyoko's and looked closely at the purple clad, tanned Angel.
"Oh, wow!" she breathed, "can I hold him?"
Kiyoko nodded and handed her friend Raishinshi. Tamiko took him and looked him over for a bit.
"Hmmm, he's a lightweight model, judging by his weight," she mumbled, "and he looks like he could move pretty fast. So, an emphasis on Speed, maybe?"
Kiyoko blinked.
"That's right," she said, a little surprised, "how'd you know?"
Tamiko rolled her eyes at her friend.
"Because," she said, handing Raishinshi back to Kiyoko, "Youzen's the same way."
Kiyoko smiled at the mention of her friends' Angel.
"Oh yeah!" she said, "did you bring him?"
Tamiko nodded and reached into her bag.
She pulled out another Angel, her Angel. It was a boy, a present from her Dad. He had long, azure blue hair that reached his waist. He wore an azure, pleather shirt with a large purple shield shape covering the chest and stomach. He had on white pants that reached down to his knees where they were over-lapped by navy blue boots with purple diamond on the feet. He had long sleeves that reached his wrists. On each hand was a navy blue glove with purple diamond shapes on the knuckles. On his back, behind the shoulder blades, were two small pieces of blue clothe. Attached to them were violet Angel Cords. His eyes were closed and his skin was very light.
This was Tamiko's Angel. Youzen.
"All right! Half the gang's here!" Kiyoko said, giggling.
Tamiko giggled too. If it was one thing, other than Angelic Layer, that the girls had in common it was Senkaiden Houshin Engi. And it was easy to see who the girls' favorite characters were.
"Did you tell your Dad?" Tamiko asked, "he usually calls on Sunday's."
Kiyoko frowned a little.
"He didn't call," she reported, slowly, "Mom said that he was busy with an important project. But he'd call next time, on Wednesday."
Tamiko sighed and nodded. Kiyoko's Dad was so busy lately, it wasn't normal for him to cancel social calls. Her Dad had to do it too sometimes.
"So," Tamiko piped up, "are you gonna enter a tournament?"
"What are you two talking about?"
Before Kiyoko could answer, a boy with brown hair and eyes came up to them, attracted by the loud, excited chatter.
"Who's talking about tournaments?" he asked, immediately looking to Tamiko, "are you going to fight in another match, Tamiko? If you are, I'll come cheer for you."
Tamiko blushed a little while Kiyoko giggled.
" 'I'm' not entering a Tournament, Ken," she explained, pointing to Kiyoko, " 'Kiyoko' is."
Confused, Ken Ranoku turned to Kiyoko, who smiled as she held up her Angel. Ken blinked.
"You finally got one?" he asked, surprised, "but I thought you wanted a 'boy'."
Kiyoko nearly fell over and Tamiko had to cover her mouth to stop herself from giggling.
"Ken, this 'is' a boy Angel," Kiyoko stated, holding Raishinshi out to him.
Ken took a closer look at Raishinshi and made a face.
"He looks like a girl to me," he said, bluntly.
Kiyoko gaped at him.
"He does 'not' look like a girl!" she huffed.
"Who looks like a girl?"
The trio turned to see two more kids behind them. A boy and a girl. They both had dark hair, but the boy was taller with green eyes, and the girl had gray eyes. They were brother and sister. The girl was young for this grade, but she'd turn 12 in two months. Both had heard the shouting and came over to see what was wrong.
"Ken said that my Angel looks like a girl," Kiyoko grumbled, angrily, holding out Raishinshi.
The girl looked surprised.
"You finally got one?" she asked.
Kiyoko nodded as the dark-haired boy looked at Raishinshi.
"Well, with 'his' hair," the boy started, looking up, "he 'does' look like a girl."
Once again, Kiyoko grew angry, more than ever now.
"Raishinshi does NOT look like a girl!" she said, angrily.
Ken's eyes bugged out.
"You named him 'Raishinshi'?" he asked in disbelief.
Kiyoko turned to him and nodded.
"Yeah, I named him after the character in 'Houshin Engi'," she said, "why? Tamiko named her Angel after Youzen, so what's wrong with my Angel being named Raishinshi?"
Tamiko nodded.
"That's right," she said, coming to her friends' defense, "and Youzen has long hair too and you're not calling 'him' a girl."
Ken shrugged.
"'Cause Youzen's cool," he explained, "and he has long hair in the Anime, so it fits."
The dark-haired boy nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, Raishinshi's hair isn't supposed to be down," he added, "why didn't you put his hair up?"
Kiyoko frowned.
"I tried to, I really did," she mumbled, looking at Raishinshi, "but it wouldn't stay up no matter what I did. I didn't want to put any chemicals in it. I was afraid he'd get messed up."
Ken rolled his eyes.
"He already is," he said, "both in the Anime 'and' in the Manga."
Tamiko looked at Ken, in shock. But that was nothing compared to how Kiyoko was. Her face was red and her teeth were clenched.
"What does 'that' mean?" she asked through clenched teeth.
Ken boldly faced her, a confident look on his face.
"It's simple," he explained, "he's loud, rude, and he blows his stack over everything. If you ask me, he's a little on the psychotic side."
Kiyoko tried to keep from bursting out while Tamiko got ready to ream Ken.
"Besides," the dark-haired boy interjected, calmly, "he's too impulsive and he 'always' gets into trouble. He can't do anything right."
Kiyoko was clearly upset at all this and held Raishinshi closer. Tamiko went over to her, sensing she was near the breaking point.
"And he's always talking about wanting to become a 'Hero'," Ken continued, folding his arms across his chest, "and he brings it up every five seconds. How's he gonna become a 'Hero' when he's always messing up?"
That did it.
"STOP IT!" Kiyoko cried, nearly getting the entire class' attention, "he's nothing like that! You have no right to insult him, neither of you!"
Tamiko, angry as well and hiolding Youzen close, faced the two boys.
"Ken, Takumi, what's the matter with you two?" she demanded, "nothing's wrong with Raishinshi, Anime or Manga. What IS your problem?"
Ken shrank back a little. Takumi Odayaka, on the other hand, shook his head.
"We're just telling the truth," he said, "he's not the best person to name your Angel after."
"That 'is' a lie."
The four kids turned to Takumi's sister, Yuri Odayaka. She had been silent up until now and was currently frowning at the two boys. Takumi gave her a shrug.
"We were only telling the truth, sis," he said.
Yuri shook her head.
"No, you were telling the 'half-truth'," she said, walking into the group.
She stopped in front of Kiyoko, who was clearly upset. She looked down at Raishinshi. Even in an upright position, his eyes were still closed, and his head lowered. Yuri smiled and patted him on the head. This confused Kiyoko.
"It's true, he can be a little childish and rude," Yuri began, "however, he's not the person you just described. He's young, like us, so 'of course' he gets into trouble. All young boys do."
Hearing this, both boys blushed a little.
"And I don't see anything wrong with him wanting to be a Hero," Yuri continued, "it's what he wants to be when he grows up. And he's not a monsterous person like you say. He has a gentler side; he cares about his family and his teammates, even if he doesn't always show it. Isn't that why you like him, Kiyoko?"
Kiyoko gave a start, but then nodded.
"Yes, he's a very good person," she said, saying what she felt, "he never gives up, he always fights his hardest, and even though he yells at others, that doesn't mean he hates them. I named my Angel after him because he's a strong fighter when he needs to be and he doesn't let his weakness' get in the way."
Tamiko began to clap as both Kiyoko and Yuri smiled at one another. Yuri was good at observing things, even when it was Anime. She was usually shy, like her brother, only she didn't bear a negative outlook on things. Ken was scratching the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
"Yeah, well, that may be true," he said, "but he's not the best of the group to me."
Takumi nodded.
"Yes, sorry Kiyoko," he said, "but I still don't think of Raishinshi as a very good choice for your Angels' name."
Kiyoko frowned. Tamiko, however, did not.
"No one even asked your opinions in the first place," she snapped, "if you didn't have anything nice to say, you should've stayed quiet."
Before the boys could reply, the bell rang, and everyone had to go to their seats. Yuri gave Kiyoko an, 'I'm sorry' look before going to her seat. Sighing, Kiyoko took her seat behind Tamiko.
"Don't worry," Tamiko said, turning to her friend, "you picked a great name."
Kiyoko nodded, still sad. She looked down at Raishinshi. He, too, seemed to frown as he continued to sleep. Kiyoko's face then got determined.
(I don't care what they say,) she told herself, (I'm going to prove to them that Raishinshi 'is' a good fighter despite their retorts.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The minute school was out, Kiyoko ran out of the classroom, and out of the school building at top speed. Normally, she, Tamiko, and some of their friends walked home together. But this day was different. She had talked to Tamiko and they worked out a plan. Tamiko would bring Ken, Takumi, and Yuri to the local Piffle Princess while Kiyoko went ahead of them. Why? So she could have enough time to enter a game.
As she ran down the street and past the flower shops, she thought about the discussion earlier that day.
(I can't believe they'd say those things about Raishinshi! Ken's only seen the first three DVD's of Houshin Engi. He didn't see what I saw!) Kiyoko thought, still mad at the two boys, (and why did Takumi agree with him? He's got all six parts like me and Tamiko. Why's he being so negative towards Raishinshi?)
Then she thought of Yuri. She and Tamiko, and herself, were the only ones who came to Raishinshi's aid. She knew that Yuri could sense things about people, both Anime and real life. She knew Raishinshi better than any of them. She didn't like it when her brother would criticize Nataku by calling him an android. Each of them had their favorites. Tamiko obviously liked Youzen. Yuri liked Nataku. Ken was a big Taikoubou fan. And Takumi liked Tenka's character. And, of course, Kiyoko liked Raishinshi.
And the boys thought she was nuts for doing so.
(They only see his negative side,) she seethed, her shoes hitting the pavement harder, (if they'd only look past his outward appearance, they'd see how good he is!)
Kiyoko stopped after two blocks to catch her breath. She hated the fact that in every Anime she watched, people would criticize her favorite character. And ever since she watched Houshin Engi, Raishinshi had become her favorite out of all other Anime's it seemed. Her mother didn't mind, neither did her Dad, or Tamiko and Yuri. But Ken and Takumi thought he wasn't good enough and Aya used to say that he reminded her of a bratty kid. She didn't really care, then. She'd learned to block out criticism. But now they were insulting her Angel.
"I'll show them that Raishinshi is NOT messed up or psychotic!" Kiyoko vowed, and brought up her bag to take him out, "once they see us in action, they won't insult him at all."
As she fumbled with her bag, she thought she heard something behind her. At first she ignored it, but then....
"I'M WIGGLY ICCHAN!"
Kiyoko jumped and spun around. There was the man from yesterday, Icchan, hanging upside down from a tree branch in front of her, waving his arms in a funny pattern. Kiyoko jumped again.
"Gah! M-Mr. Icchan!" she stammered, gawking at him.
Icchan stopped wiggling and grinned at her.
"Hello there!" he exclaimed, climbing down from the tree branch, "we meet yet again."
Still a little nervous after seeing his strange behavior, Kiyoko nodded timidly. Icchan nodded back, then noticed a small, dark-haired head sticking out of her bag. He beamed.
"Ah, ha!" he shouted, pointing, "I see you've made your Angel."
Kiyoko snapped out of her daze and looked down at her bag. She nodded to Icchan.
"Yeah, I finished him yesterday," she said.
Icchan bent over to look at the small doll.
"May I?" he finally asked, holding out a hand.
Kiyoko looked a little startled.
"Huh? Oh, uh...yeah, sure," she said, taking out Raishinshi.
Icchan took the Angel from her, gently, and began to look him over. Icchan rubbed his chin as he did a full examination.
"Hmm, you did a great job with his outfit," he proclaimed "it fits him perfectly. And you're one of the very few people who've discovered the 're- skin' program."
Kiyoko looked embarrassed.
"Actually," she admitted, "a friend told me about it."
Icchan just shrugged and went back to examining Raishinshi.
"Hmm," he said again, turning Raishinshi around in his hands, "definitely a Lightweight model with an emphasis on Speed. Not a bad choice. You did pretty good."
Kiyoko blushed.
"What's his name?" Icchan asked, holding him at face level.
Kiyoko, after a moments' hesitation, replied:
"Raishinshi."
Icchan stopped examining and thought a moment.
"That name sounds familiar," he said to himself, then snapped his fingers in realization, "oh, yeah. Isn't that someone from a show you kids watch?"
Kiyoko nodded.
"Er, yes," she said, a little hesitant after what had gone on at school, "a show called 'Senkaiden Houshin Engi'."
Icchan smiled.
"I knew it!" he announced, "you named him after that bat boy, right?"
A little surprised that he knew about it, Kiyoko nodded, but then got on the offensive.
"Yes, but you better not say anything mean about him like the kids at school did," she snapped, her face getting hard.
Icchan blinked.
"I wasn't going to say anything bad," he reassured, causing Kiyoko to relax, "it seems your classmates dislike your taste in men."
Kiyoko instantly turned beet red.
"Er, er, er, um," Kiyoko could do nothing but stammer upon hearing 'that' statement.
Icchan rolled his eyes.
"Oi, it was just a joke," he said, "but you seem to be upset about it."
Kiyoko frowned and nodded.
"Everyone always seems to dislike him," she explained, "even in the Anime multimedia of that show, he always seems to be left out. I hate it! Why do people dislike him so much?"
Icchan adjusted his glasses and looked back down at Raishinshi.
"He looks different from the others and he has a very short temper," he explained, "all that makes you think he's a monster. What was your first opinion when you saw him?"
Kiyoko blinked in surprise, then looked down a little ashamed.
"I ...thought he was a youkai, a demon," she admitted, "but then I realized that he wasn't and stood up for him. To be honest, I like the way he looks."
Icchan nodded.
"I've gotta agree, nothing beats a thrill-seeking batboy! Flying through the night! Banishing evil!" Icchan announced, striking a pose, one hand in the air, pointing upward, and balancing on one leg.
Kiyoko stared at him.
"Well, yeah, I like him for that too," she said, slowly, "he fights for justice and wants to be a Hero. When my Dad was with us, he said that anyone who fights for that is a good person."
Icchan smiled and handed Raishinshi back to Kiyoko.
"You're Dad really 'does' sound like a good person," he stated, "so, what are you two gonna do now? Practice a little perhaps?
Kiyoko shook her head and began walking down the street.
"Nope, I'm going to fight with Raishinshi in a battle," she said, "and prove to those kids that he's not anything they said he was."
It took only a split second for what she said to register in Icchans' mind. When it did, he toppled over.
"You're going to enter a game already?!" he exclaimed, turning to her.
Kiyoko only nodded as she continued down the street.
Icchan thought a moment, smiled, and then got up.
"In that case," he said, running after her, "I'll cheer you on-" he looked at her, glasses shining, "-and give you tips in battle."
Kiyoko looked up at him, the slightest bit confused.
"You'd do that for me?" she asked, surprised, "but, we hardly know each other."
Icchan looked down at her and smiled.
"Well, it's the only polite thing to do," he said, arms folded behind his head, "and I'm really interested in how you two will battle."
Kiyoko smiled and began to pick up the pace in excitement.
"I've always wanted to have an Angel Fight," she said, looking up at the sky, "now's my chance. I can't wait to tell Dad!"
Icchan smiled as he watched her head down the street.
(I can't wait either,) he thought, (because if I'm right-), he looked up at a passing cloud in thought, (-then the surprise of this years' Tournament won't be wasted.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Piffle Princess building was packed. The food court was filled with visitors of all ages and kids were going through the gift shops like it was a candy store. People crowded the lobby. People were going up the staircase to watch Angel Layer battles on the top floor. And that's where Kiyoko headed without hesitation, with Icchan following behind her at a moderate pace.
Unseen by these two were a couple of people. A woman and a young teenager who had just come in only a few minutes ago were searching the stores' lobby.
"Kiyoko said that she'd be here," Mrs. Yume said, scanning the crowd, "but I don't see her anywhere."
Aya sighed and lazily scanned the crowd as well.
"Mom, there are a lot of people here, and even more kids," she stated, "and she might not even be downstairs, she might be upstairs."
Mrs. Yume stopped scanning and turned to her eldest daughter.
"Why?" she inquired, "what's upstairs?"
Aya looked up at the ceiling.
"Only Angelic Layer battles," she said, "Kiyoko likes watching them."
Mrs. Yume thought a moment.
"She seemed really excited about coming here today," she mused, "and all to just watch?"
Hearing this, Aya froze.
(Oh, no,) she thought, and headed for the stairs.
Mrs. Yume looked up after her daughter.
"What's wrong, Aya?" she asked, following her.
Aya stopped at the edge of the stairs.
"She's going to enter a Tournament!" she called over her shoulder.
Her mother blinked.
"Why is that bad?" she asked, confused.
Aya was already on her way upstairs.
"She hasn't even practiced yet!" she shouted, "she'll be clobbered!"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
By the time Icchan had caught up with her, Kiyoko was already at the Registration Desk. Icchan fixed his glasses, actually feeling nervous.
(Hmm, is this really such a good idea?) he thought, (even though 'she' got through her first match without practicing, 'she' wasn't as hot-headed as Kiyoko is today.)
As he watched her smile as she received a 'Game Card' though, he smiled.
(But, then again,) he thought, as Kiyoko approached him, (self-confidence is a MUST for Angelic Layer. She might be able to pull it off.)
"Mr. Icchan, look!" Kiyoko said, triumphantly holding up the 'Game Card' with the number 12 on it.
Icchan nodded.
"Good, now, you do realize that you're going to be playing this match by ear, right?" he asked.
Kiyoko tilted her head to one side.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean," Icchan re-started, trying to find a way to explain this, "you haven't practiced with Raishinshi at all. You're going to have to learn the mental controls as you go along. And you might make some mistakes, some might be fatal."
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi and then back at Icchan, a confident look on her face.
"Don't worry," she assured, "I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides, my Dad let me control 'his' Angel one time during a practice. I can manage."
Upon hearing that, Icchan started to worry again. But, before he could protest....
"Kiyoko? Yume Kiyoko? Please report to Layer 12 for your match!" came a voice over the speakers.
Kiyoko beamed.
"That's me!" she cheered, running to the Layer that was numbered 'Layer 12'.
Icchan sighed and followed.
(She's definitely HIS daughter,) he thought, almost fondly.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Are you SURE she's here?"
"Yes, of course I am!"
Tamiko was wandering on the second level of Piffle Princess, followed by an exhausted Ken, a bored Takumi, and an interested Yuri. They had arrived only a minute ago and had been searching everywhere for Kiyoko. After a while, they found the Tournament Layers, but still no Kiyoko.
"Maybe she chickened out," Ken suggested, only to cringe as Tamiko shot him a death glared.
"She'd never do that," she stated, firmly, continuing to lead her group through the crowd.
Takumi looked at the poster-covered walls.
"She hasn't even practiced it," he pointed out, "how's she going to battle?"
Tamiko shrugged, a little worried about it herself.
"Knowing her, she'll manage," she said.
Suddenly, Yuri stopped, and looked at a Layer that was across from her. Takumi and the other noticed this and stopped as well.
"What's up sis?" he asked.
Yuri said nothing, she merely pointed, smiling.
The others followed the direction she was pointing to and gasped when they saw...
"Kiyoko!" Tamiko cried in surprise.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Hello Miss. What's your name?"
"Yume Kiyoko."
The announcer lady smiled. Kiyoko smiled back. She was in the Layer area. Lots of people were surrounding her and the Layer, eager to see the events of the battle. Icchan was also there, waiting by Kiyoko's seat on the West Side. His expression was unreadable. The other Deus had already been introduced and now it was Kiyoko's turn.
In back of the crowd, watching from a distance was a dark-dressed figure. It was a boy. He had long black hair that was in a ponytail that went a ways past his shoulders and dark navy blue eyes. He wore a black shirt covered by a dark purple jacket, blue jeans, and a pair of black and white sneakers. He was watching Kiyoko with a bleak expression.
(A newbie. She looks pretty confident,) he thought, watching Kiyoko, (wonder how long that'll last?)
As he continued to watch, the announcer continued with her job.
"That's a real nice name," she commented, after hearing Kiyoko's name, and looked down at Raishinshi, "and such a neat-looking Angel. What's her name?"
Kiyoko sweat-dropped and almost toppled over. Icchan had to hide a grin. Where Tamiko and co. were, the boys began to giggle like mad. Kiyoko, on the other hand, recovered, and leaned closer to the microphone the lady held.
"HIS name is Raishinshi," she both stated and corrected, firmly.
The announcer blinked and looked at Raishinshi more closely. Now it was 'her' turn to sweat-drop.
"Oh, my! I'm so sorry," she apologized, noticing the difference.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Anyway, please have a seat over there."
Kiyoko went over to the seat where Icchan was standing besides and sat down. The other Deus, a High School girl in a gray and white uniform, sat across from her. Her Angel was a girl. She had shoulder length mahogany hair and a fair complexion. She wore a soft red shirt with tan shoulder guards held in place by a clasp that crossed her breast and back and a red choker was around her neck. Attached to it was a bright red Angel Cord. She had bright red gloves that stopped at her elbows. She wore ankle length tan boots with red lining. She had a tan, red-rimmed skirt that went down to her knees. Kiyoko didn't catch the Angle's name, but Icchan said that she was a strong Angel. She didn't how he knew, but she 'was' curious.
Kiyoko lifted up the blue, pink visor headset and slid it onto her head. She pressed the button on the side and with an audible 'shwoop!' the wings rose on the side. The other girl already had hers on.
"I guess you 'do' know some stuff," Icchan said, watching Kiyoko.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yep, and I just 'know' that we can do this," she said, looking down at Raishinshi.
Icchan nodded, but still looked a bit worried.
(I hope she knows the procedure,) he thought.
At the same time, Mrs. Yume and Aya had reached the top of the stairs, and had located Kiyoko.
"There she is," Mrs. Yume stated, pointing to the Layer.
Aya looked and slapped her forehead.
(Sis, you're in WAY over your head!) she thought.
"And now, get ready everyone!" the announcer declared and turned to the Layer, "Entry Angel!"
Instantly, the Layer lit up, and the box screen above the Layer turned on, revealing both pictures of the Angels, their Damage Gauges filled to 100%, and the timer set for 10 minutes. The High School girl stood up and did her Entry first.
"Use your power to defeat the foe, Vesta!" she declared and threw her Angel into the Layer, "Angel, fall-in!"
Vesta flew towards the Layer, eyes closed. The minute she slid through the Layer's invisible force field, her mahogany eyes opened. She executed two somersaults before she landed square on the Layer. Her legs were apart, her fists were clenched, and she smiled eagerly at her opponent.
Kiyoko blinked.
"Huh?" she said, absent-mindedly.
Icchan faced her.
"Before you send your Angel into the Layer, you have to give an Entry. Then you have to throw your Angel into the Layer," he explained, "after he gets through the force field, you take over."
Kiyoko nodded and looked down at Raishinshi.
"Let's do this," she told him.
Back in the crowd, Tamiko frowned.
"I hope she knows what to do," she murmured.
Ken crossed his arms.
"If we're lucky, maybe we'll get a good laugh," he said, smirking.
Takumi and Yuri were silent as they eagerly watched the Layer.
Across from them and the Layer, Kiyoko's family watched.
"Good luck, Kiyoko," her mother whispered as Aya watched.
The boy also continued to gaze at Kiyoko.
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi once more, nodded in determination, and drew back the hand that held Raishinshi.
"Let's go, Raishinshi!" she cried, throwing him with all her might at the Layer.
He sailed through the air, still peacefully resting. He passed through the force field, it rippled as he did so. Kiyoko immediately focused.
(Okay, Raishinshi,) she thought, (land, now!)
But he didn't. Eyes still closed, limbs unmoving, he stopped in mid-air for a second before falling with a small 'thud' on the Layer. The people around her started to chuckle.
"Hah! Told'ya!" Ken said, pointing triumphantly as he giggled.
Takumi merely shook his head. Takumi slapped her forehead while Yuri simply kept watching. Across the room, Mrs. Yume's face was clouded in confusion.
"Why didn't he land like the other Angel?" she wondered aloud.
Aya sighed, just like the boy did not to far next to her.
Kiyoko, meanwhile, was looking at Raishinshi in a mixture of panic and confusion.
"W-w-what happened?" she asked, her worried eyes on Raishinshi, "why didn't he land?"
Icchan faced her again.
"What did you do once he was inside the Layer?" he asked, urgently.
Kiyoko looked up at him.
"I...told him to land," she said, confused.
Icchan sighed.
"You don't just 'tell' an Angel mentally what to do," he explained, "you have to focus."
"But I was!" Kiyoko protested.
Icchan shook his head.
"No, you just gave him a command and nothing more," he said, more gently, "you need to visualize."
Kiyoko stared at him.
"Visualize?" she asked.
Icchan nodded.
"Yes," he said, turning back to the Layer, "picture in your mind that Raishinshi is standing up or he won't get up."
Kiyoko nodded slightly and turned back to the Layer. Raishinshi was sprawled out on his right side, his arms and legs were laid to his left. His expression seemed a bit pained. Kiyoko winced. Icchan was right. She had been too quick to battle and she had already goofed before the match had started. Pushing the thoughts of guilt and the happenings around her aside, she focused at the task at hand.
She had to make Raishinshi stand.
(Raishinshi?) Kiyoko thought.
He didn't flinch. She tried again, visualizing the action she wanted.
(Please Raishinshi, you've got to stand up,) she thought.
He didn't move. Kiyoko squeezed her eyes shut even tighter.
(Raishinshi, please stand!) she thought, desperately.
He still didn't move. Kiyoko could sense this and grew nervous. Did he hate her?
(Please!) she mentally cried, gently.
On the Layer, ever so slowly, Raishinshi's bright brown eyes slowly opened. Then, still slowly, Raishinshi attempted to stand. He rolled over onto all fours and placed his hands flat on the Layer. He pushed forward, causing the lower half of his body to rise in the air. He stretched out his legs. They straightened, jerkily, but then buckled under him. He tried again, this time his legs straightened, and stayed straight. All the while, Kiyoko kept focusing on him, and the image of him standing.
Raishinshi pushed himself onto his feet, his upper body still bent. He put one hand on his knee and attempted to straighten. But his upper body wouldn't budge. He then put his other hand on his other knee and pushed upwards again. This time, however, his upper body straightened up. He lifted his head up and turned to Kiyoko.
At the sound of mumbling around her, Kiyoko opened her eyes, and looked up at the Layer. There was Raishinshi. He was standing up and had his body turned to her. He was looking at her with bright brown eyes. He smiled slightly at her.
"He...stood up," Kiyoko said, numbly, then smiled, "Raishinshi stood up for me!"
The people around her clapped and cheered at the small victory. To her right, in the crowd, Tamiko and Yuri were smiling.
"He stood up!" Tamiko cried, grinning, "I knew she'd pull it off!"
Yuri nodded and continued to smile as the boys watched amazed. To Kiyoko's left, her mother was ecstatic.
"He stood! He stood!" she kept crying, "my baby's Angel stood up!"
Aya rolled her eyes, but flashed a slight smile.
(Maybe there IS hope,) she thought.
The boy, a ways beside her, didn't look all to impressed at Kiyoko.
Icchan, on the other hand, WAS pleased.
(Brings back old memories,) he thought.
"Now then!" the announcer cried into the mike, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded, issuing the match.
Vesta wasted no time in attacking. She ran forward, heading straight for Raishinshi. Kiyoko gave a start.
"Stay focused!" Icchan told her, "and make an image!"
Vesta drew closer, her hands balling into fists.
"An image of what?" Kiyoko asked, nervous.
"Of him dodging!" Icchan said, watching Vesta approach.
Vesta was only a foot away from Raishinshi. Raishinshi turned to her just as she raised her right fist. With a panicked expression, Raishinshi leapt forward, pressed his hands against Vesta's shoulders, and flipped over her just as she punched. Raishinshi landed behind her, about a foot away, in a crouching position. Vesta turned to him, her surprised expression reflecting how her Deus felt.
Kiyoko let out a sigh of relief while, to her right, Tamiko was whooping, loudly.
"Hey not too shabby for your first flip," Icchan commented, "but you'll have to do more than jump. First, try getting Raishinshi used to running."
Kiyoko nodded and re-focused on the fight.
Vesta charged at Raishinshi again. Raishinshi tensed. Once close enough, Vesta threw another punch. Raishinshi dodged left, stumbling a bit. Vesta punched at him again and Raishinsh sidestepped this time, a bit steadier. Vesta tried a left hook. Raishinshi jumped back, nearly getting hit. Vesta tried to rush him, but he sidestepped again. Both Vesta and her Deus bore an annoyed expression while Kiyoko and Raishinshi shared a tense look.
"Wait-a-go Kiyoko!" Tamiko cheered, with Yuri simply smiling next to her.
A little ways to their left, a young girl moved forward in the crowd to get a better look. She was somewhere around 7 and had pale skin, waist length dark hair, and violet eyes. She wore an Eriol Academy uniform colored white and green: the Elementary grade uniform. She watched Kiyoko and then looked to Raishinshi, who was currently ducking a right hook.
"She seems to handle her Angel well," the girl murmured to herself.
Back on the Layer, Raishinshi managed to get some distance between him and Vesta. Kiyoko was studying her and Raishinshi's positions.
"You're doing good," Icchan said, moving closer to Kiyoko, "but you have to eventually attack."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Um, attack?" she asked, hesitantly. That was one thing that her Dad 'didn't' teach her.
"Visualized him attacking," Icchan reminded her as Vesta began to advance.
(Visualize? But what sort of attack should he execute?) Kiyoko thought, watching as Vesta got closer, then....(that's it!)
Raishinshi, his expression getting a little steadier, held his ground as Vesta came into striking range. Drawing back her fist, she threw a right hook at Raishinshi's face. Raishinshi immediately ducked. He balled his hand into a fist and sprung up, delivering a right upper cut to Vesta's chin. Vesta's head snapped back and fell on her rear. Her Damage Gauge dropped to 90%.
Kiyoko smiled. She connected!
Icchan also smiled. Tamiko was getting about as ecstatic as Kiyoko's Mom was across the room.
"Oh my! He hit her!" Mrs. Yume cried, excited, "Kiyoko struck first!"
Aya shook her head. She hated it when her mother got excited. It was a little embarrassing. To her right, the boy didn't say anything, only watched with his bleak expression smeared across his face. Back across the room, Yuri smiled.
Back on the Layer, Vesta had recovered, and was now running at Raishinshi again. Raishinshi tensed and got ready to duck or dodge a punch. But Vesta didn't throw any punches. When she was only a few inches away, she spun around, and whipped out her right leg. A spin kick. The move caught Raishinshi and Kiyoko off guard. Vesta's foot connected with the right side of Raishinshi's face, sending him flying to one side of the Layer. He crashed to the Layer floor, teeth clenched. His Damage dropped to 90%, like Vesta.
"Raishinshi!" Kiyoko murmured in fright.
Icchan leaned over to her.
"You've got to stay on your guard," he warned her, "now that Vesta's made contact, she'll try fiercer attacks."
Kiyoko nodded and gritted her teeth.
Vesta came at Raishinshi again, wearing a confident grin. Raishinshi got up, stumbling a little. As she got into striking range, Raishinshi kicked his left leg forward, aiming at Vesta's face. But he wasn't fast enough. Vesta grabbed his foot before it could connect with her face. Raishinshi's face expressed shock while Vesta's grin widened. She threw his leg up over his head, causing him to flip over on his stomach. She raised a foot to stomp him, but Raishinshi rolled out of the way in time. He rolled some distance away and got up. Vesta ran at him. Raishinshi let her come close enough until she was only inches away. She lunged forward in a right jab, but Raishinshi caught her fist, fell onto his back, and kicked Vesta in the stomach. She went flying into the middle of the Layer, where Raishinshi followed her.
"Good," Yuri said, quietly, "she got him away from the edge."
Takumi nodded as Tamiko and Ken leaned forward in place, eager to see more.
Vesta got up, both her and her Deus were annoyed again. As Raishinshi got close enough, he threw a left jab at Vesta. Vesta ducked it and, to Kiyoko's horror, jump kicked Raishinshi in the face. The force caused him to fly back some inches and slide a few more on the surface of the Layer. Vesta ran at him and, when she was halfway there, jumped into the air. Raishinshi looked up in mild confusion as Vesta began to descend. Kiyoko then noticed that her knees were pointing down. Kiyoko gasped.
(Dodge, Raishinshi!) she cried, mentally.
Raishinshi rolled to the side just as Vesta landed. Both got up, but Vesta was faster. She gave him a left hook and kicked him square in the stomach. Raishinshi's face grew pained, but Vesta wasn't done yet. She raised her fist.
"Block!" both Icchan and Tamiko cried in unison.
Raishinshi hardly had any time to react, but he managed to raise his left arm to block Vesta's right jab, but didn't react in time to block her left. It hit him right in the face.
"Oh my goodness!" Mrs. Yume cried, "he's getting hurt!"
Aya nodded, sighing. She knew this would happen.
"She's losing focus," she said, quietly, watching her sister's face tense more and more.
As Vesta delivered a right hook across Raishinshi's face, the 7 year-old girl continued to watch. But she was smiling.
" I hope the boy Angel wins," she said, casting Kiyoko a knowing look.
Vesta gave Raishinshi another jab in the face, seeing as how he was too stunned to function. She then delivered a right forward kick that sent Raishinshi flying back a foot and a half. He landed on his back. Shakily, he pushed himself up on his hands and looked up.....only to see Vesta over him, fist raised.
"Raishinshi!" Kiyoko cried, eyes wide.
Vesta delivered a punch across his face and struck him again with another spin kick. He slid back a couple inches, hurting. His Damage was now at 55% and the Damage Read-out in Kiyoko's visor showed damage to the face, waist, and shoulders. Vesta moved in again, but just as she brought her foot down, Raishinshi back-flipped out of harms way. Vesta rushed him again.
"You've got to block!" Icchan called.
Kiyoko nodded and mentally told Raishinshi to do so. Raishinshi held his forearms together vertically, covering his face and upper body. Vesta began to continually punch at his blockade. Even though it wasn't serious, Raishinshi's Damage was going down, one point by one point.
"C'mon Kiyoko," Tamiko mumbled.
The timer was at 2 min. and 40 sec.
"I told'ya he was lame," Ken said, bluntly.
"It's over," Takumi said, actually sounding disappointed.
But Yuri and the other girl kept watching.
Kiyoko was watching the whole battle with despair.
(What was I thinking?) she thought, (if I had only practiced like Icchan wanted me to, then Raishinshi wouldn't be getting hurt the way he is.)
The visor's Damage Read-out showed that his arms were attaining damage.
"Kiyoko, you can't give up!" Icchan told her, "you 'can' do this!"
Kiyoko was about to protest when...
"Kiyoko!!"
Startled, but still keeping her thoughts on Raishinshi, Kiyoko turned to her right to see Tamiko waving to her.
"Tamiko?" she said, quietly. She forgot that they had come to watch.
"Don't give up Kiyoko!!" Tamiko cried out, getting everyone's attention.
Then....
"Sweetie!!"
Kiyoko turned to her left and was surprised to see her mother and Aya there in the crowd.
"Give it your best Kiyoko!!" Mrs. Yume called, waving.
Even Aya joined in.
"Focus!!" she called.
The boy in black watched, getting a little less bored.
Kiyoko took all this in as the timer hit 2 min.
(Everyone's counting on me to win,) she thought, (I told myself that I'd fight my hardest when the time came. And I told my Dad that I'd be a Champion in Angelic Layer one day. I came here to prove that Raishinshi isn't weak and that we're both good fighters. Am...am I throwing away all my promises? All my dreams?)
She gritted her teeth.
"Never!" she cried.
Just as Vesta drew back for another punch, Raishinshi removed his block, and, with amazing speed, delivered a right hook across Vesta's face. He then executed a fierce jump kick, sending Vesta flying backwards. She hit the Layer and slid a bit before stopping. Her Damage dropped from 88 to 50%. This shocked everyone who was watching. Vesta's Deus stared at Raishinshi in surprise. How did he get so fast all of a sudden?
Now, both Raishinshi and Kiyoko bore a look of fierce determination.
(I won't quit!) Kiyoko thought, (I'm not going to let my family OR Raishinshi down! We're going to become Angelic Layer champions, just like my Dad and his Angel! Just like I promised him!)
"Let's go, Raishinshi!" she cried, a new determination taking over.
Raishinshi launched himself forward into a run. Vesta was already up and running. Both Angels charged at one another. Raishinshi was at 40% health and Vesta was at 50%. The timer was currently at 1 min. It was going to be a tight battle. Both Angels bore determined looks and ran full speed at one another. Suddenly, Vesta launched herself forward into a leap. Raishinshi did the same thing. Both were on a collision course and were approaching fast.
Kiyoko's family and friends leaned forward, mouths open, and hoping for the best. Icchan smiled and clenched his fists. The little girl smiled as she watched the Angels advance. The boy watched, expectantly.
Vesta drew back her fist, smiling in confidence. Raishinshi pulled back his fist as well, determined. They thrust their fists forward and...
Crack!
Raishinshi's fist struck Vesta in the solar plexus, hard.
Vesta fell away from his fist, flying backward, and landing in a heap 4 feet away, almost falling out of the Layer. Her Damage Gauge fell to 0 and the buzzer sounded, stopping the timer at 30 sec. The match was over.
At first no one spoke, but Icchan smiled, as did the little girl, who simply walked back into the crowd. The announcer then pointed to Kiyoko's corner.
"Raishinshi Win!"
Immediately, the crowd erupted in cheering and applause. Kiyoko was in shock. It all happened so fast. She stared at Raishinshi, who stood there, watching the other Deus pick up Vesta in disbelief.
"You did it Kiyoko!!" Tamiko cried, throwing her arms around her friend, and squeezing, "I knew you could!"
Kiyoko snapped out of her daze, but was then tackled by her mother.
"You did it! You did it! You did it!" she cried, hugging the breath out of her daughter, "oh, sweetie I'm so proud of you!"
Kiyoko smiled and looked over to Aya, who was behind her Mom. Aya sighed, fondly, and gave her sister a thumbs-up. Kiyoko returned the sign with a smile.
"Woah, that was awesome!" Ken cried, running over, Yakumi and Yuri in tow.
Kiyoko looked over at him.
"Still think Raishinshi 'isn't' cool?" she asked, smirking.
Ken shook his head and Takumi shrugged in defeat.
"I guess not," he said.
Kiyoko smiled as her mother and Tamiko pulled away.
"You 'should' think that," she huffed, playfully, "because Raishinshi used that move on Taikoubou in episode 7."
Takumi, Ken, Aya, and even Tamiko stared at her.
"He did?" Ken and Tamiko said in unison.
"Yes," Yuri piped in, "the punch that shattered a piece of rock beneath Taikoubou."
Takumi stared at her.
"Really?" he asked.
Yuri nodded while Kiyoko laughed.
"At least someone pays attention," she said, as she turned to her right to thank Icchan.
But to her surprise, he was gone.
"Huh?" she said, "where'd Mr. Icchan go?"
Her friends and family all blinked.
"Icchan?" Aya repeated, "who's he?"
But Kiyoko was to busy looking to reply. She was also to busy looking to not notice her mother's knowing smile.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Icchan had left the moment he saw Kiyoko's friends running over. He was exiting Piffle Princess when he turned to look behind him.
"Looks like my hunch was right," he said, grinning.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Uh...konya mo mata...*
The boy dressed in black, without even a hint of satisfaction or disappointment, turned, and left.
*...hakanai hoshi zora.*
Raishinshi walked over to where Kiyoko sat, looking up at her. Kiyoko removed her headset and carefully picked Raishinshi up.
*Uh...hikaru hoshi ni...*
"Thank you, Raishinshi," she whispered to him, holding him close.
*...negai o kakeru kara*
Raishinshi didn't reply, he only smiled up at his Deus.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Alright!! I've completed Chapter 2 at last! It took me a while to type out the battle sequence, but I think it came out good. And I'm sorry if it sounds like the Anime of Hikaru's first battle, I didn't intend it to be. Next chapter, Kiyoko does some practice time with someone who you'd never suspect. And the Tokyo Prelims are coming up, so I need to know what days they're held on in the Anime. E-mail me to give me info. Review the fic and tell me what you think :)
Disclaimer - Hey everyone, I'm back! This chapter is about Kiyoko's first battle.
The Angels have 100% HP in there gauges and I'm placing the Angelic
Layer Tournaments (Tokyo, Kantou, the Nationals) on Sundays, because I
don't know the actual info. Raishinshi is based off the original character in
Soul Hunter/Senkaiden Houshin Engi. I suggest you look at some of his
pictures so that you can get a better idea of how my Angel looks. And now,
on with the fic!
Battle 2: "Let's Go, Raishinshi! Kiyoko's First Fight!"
Beeeeep! Beeeeep!
Kiyoko moaned as she turned over in her bed and reached out for her nightstand. After a few misses, her hand finally connected with her alarm clock. She fumbled around it until she finally found the 'Off' button and then promptly turned it off. Sighing, Kiyoko rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep.
"Kiyoko! Wake up!" a voice called from downstairs, "school's going to start in 30 minutes!"
Upon hearing the 's' word, Kiyoko shot up in her bed without hesitation.
"Oh my gosh! I almost forgot!" she cried, scrambling from out of the covers.
As soon as she got untangled, she looked up. Sunlight was seeping through the closed, rose curtains that covered her balcony window. Packages were lying out on the floor, a pair of scissor and pictures of Anime characters were scattered on the floor, and Kiyoko spotted a laptop and another device sitting atop her desk. Kiyoko looked at them closely.
(That's right,) she reminded herself, (I was so excited, I must have forgotten to clean up.)
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she nearly had a heart-attack.
"Raishinshi!" she cried, looking around, frantically.
Where did she put him? She couldn't remember where she placed him. After tearing up her bed looking for him, she finally found him. He wasn't in her bed, but on her nightstand. He was in a sitting position, his left leg was propped up on his right leg, which was hanging off the nightstand, his left hand rested on his raised leg, and his other hand helped to prop him up. He still looked like he was sleeping.
Smiling, Kiyoko ran over to her window, and spread the curtains, letting the sunlight flow in. One ray landed on her nightstand, where her Angel slept. She walked over to him and gently picked him up. Even then, he still looked as if he was asleep. Kiyoko smiled at her Angel.
"Good Morning, Raishinshi!" she said, cheerfully.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mrs. Yume looked up as Kiyoko came bounding down the stairs. She was dressed in a school uniform: a white top with a crown badge on the left side and blue sleeve cuffs, a short white and blue in-lined skirt, long blue stockings, and white shoes. It was the middle school uniform for Eriol Academy. Aya was also downstairs, seated at the dinner table where she was currently eating waffles. Kiyoko hopped over to her seat and sat down, placing Raishinshi on the table next to her. Aya stared at him.
"Why'd you bring your 'doll' to the table?" she asked, dully.
Kiyoko made a face at her and plucked a waffle from the stack in front of her.
"He's coming to school with me," she clarified, placing the waffle on her plate.
Mrs. Yume turned to her youngest daughter.
"Do they allow that?" she asked, moving away from the stove.
Kiyoko nodded as she poured syrup on her waffle.
"As long as we don't play with them," she assured.
"Why even bring it in the first place?" Aya asked, stuffing a waffle piece into her mouth.
Kiyoko whipped her head at her sister, obviously mad at what she said.
"First of all, Raishinshi isn't an 'it', he's a 'he'," she firmly stated, "and secondly, I told Tamiko I'd bring him today."
Mrs. Yume approached the table and took her seat across from the girls.
"Well, I'm sure the two of you will be the talk of the day," she said, politely, taking a couple waffles from the stack.
Kiyoko, her mouth filled with waffle, nodded while Aya simply rolled her eyes.
"Oh, by the way Mom," Kiyoko said, swallowing her waffle, "I won't be coming straight home after school."
Mrs. Yume looked up from her breakfast.
"Oh? Where are you going then?" she asked, "over Tamiko's house?"
Smiling, Kiyoko shook her head.
"Nope," she said, "Piffle Princess!"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Eriol Academy was a big school complex, painted red and white, and was a school that had grades K-12. Kids off all ages were roaming around the schoolyards, the lunch areas, and some hung out around the gym. Kindergarteners were cluttered around the playground while Elementary kids chatted in small groups around the main building. Kids in Middle school and High School were either in the lunch areas or inside, in the hallways. No one paid attention to the small brunette running through the school grounds, looking for her friend.
(She's not in the cafeteria or by the gym, so she must be in class,) Kiyoko surmised, heading for the main building.)
The Kindergarten area was farther down and wasn't connected to the main building, neither was the Elementary building. The Middle School and High School building were in the same building, though. Kiyoko had been going since she was 5 and she and Tamiko were always together. They also had the same classes together. Tamiko had gotten her Angel first and had participated in a lot of tournaments. She had earned a name for herself in the Layer, just like all the other star Deus'. That was Kiyoko's dream now.
Entering the building, Kiyoko immediately headed for her 1st Period class, Mrs. Natana's English class. It was all the way down the hall, but Kiyoko was to excited to mind the distance she ran, or the people who she bumped into in the process. She ran up to the room and flung the door open. Inside was a small group of students, all dressed up in uniforms just like her. Of course, the boys had pants instead of skirts. Amid the students, in the middle of the second row, there was seated a girl with blond hair set in a ponytail and clear hazel eyes. Kiyoko beamed upon seeing her.
"Tamiko!" she called, waving.
The girl looked up, smiled, and waved back.
"Hey Kiyoko!" she called back as her friend ran up to her, "did you bring him?"
Kiyoko smiled and reached into her bag.
"Yep," she said, pulling her Angel out, "here he is."
Tamiko gave a smile as wide as Kiyoko's and looked closely at the purple clad, tanned Angel.
"Oh, wow!" she breathed, "can I hold him?"
Kiyoko nodded and handed her friend Raishinshi. Tamiko took him and looked him over for a bit.
"Hmmm, he's a lightweight model, judging by his weight," she mumbled, "and he looks like he could move pretty fast. So, an emphasis on Speed, maybe?"
Kiyoko blinked.
"That's right," she said, a little surprised, "how'd you know?"
Tamiko rolled her eyes at her friend.
"Because," she said, handing Raishinshi back to Kiyoko, "Youzen's the same way."
Kiyoko smiled at the mention of her friends' Angel.
"Oh yeah!" she said, "did you bring him?"
Tamiko nodded and reached into her bag.
She pulled out another Angel, her Angel. It was a boy, a present from her Dad. He had long, azure blue hair that reached his waist. He wore an azure, pleather shirt with a large purple shield shape covering the chest and stomach. He had on white pants that reached down to his knees where they were over-lapped by navy blue boots with purple diamond on the feet. He had long sleeves that reached his wrists. On each hand was a navy blue glove with purple diamond shapes on the knuckles. On his back, behind the shoulder blades, were two small pieces of blue clothe. Attached to them were violet Angel Cords. His eyes were closed and his skin was very light.
This was Tamiko's Angel. Youzen.
"All right! Half the gang's here!" Kiyoko said, giggling.
Tamiko giggled too. If it was one thing, other than Angelic Layer, that the girls had in common it was Senkaiden Houshin Engi. And it was easy to see who the girls' favorite characters were.
"Did you tell your Dad?" Tamiko asked, "he usually calls on Sunday's."
Kiyoko frowned a little.
"He didn't call," she reported, slowly, "Mom said that he was busy with an important project. But he'd call next time, on Wednesday."
Tamiko sighed and nodded. Kiyoko's Dad was so busy lately, it wasn't normal for him to cancel social calls. Her Dad had to do it too sometimes.
"So," Tamiko piped up, "are you gonna enter a tournament?"
"What are you two talking about?"
Before Kiyoko could answer, a boy with brown hair and eyes came up to them, attracted by the loud, excited chatter.
"Who's talking about tournaments?" he asked, immediately looking to Tamiko, "are you going to fight in another match, Tamiko? If you are, I'll come cheer for you."
Tamiko blushed a little while Kiyoko giggled.
" 'I'm' not entering a Tournament, Ken," she explained, pointing to Kiyoko, " 'Kiyoko' is."
Confused, Ken Ranoku turned to Kiyoko, who smiled as she held up her Angel. Ken blinked.
"You finally got one?" he asked, surprised, "but I thought you wanted a 'boy'."
Kiyoko nearly fell over and Tamiko had to cover her mouth to stop herself from giggling.
"Ken, this 'is' a boy Angel," Kiyoko stated, holding Raishinshi out to him.
Ken took a closer look at Raishinshi and made a face.
"He looks like a girl to me," he said, bluntly.
Kiyoko gaped at him.
"He does 'not' look like a girl!" she huffed.
"Who looks like a girl?"
The trio turned to see two more kids behind them. A boy and a girl. They both had dark hair, but the boy was taller with green eyes, and the girl had gray eyes. They were brother and sister. The girl was young for this grade, but she'd turn 12 in two months. Both had heard the shouting and came over to see what was wrong.
"Ken said that my Angel looks like a girl," Kiyoko grumbled, angrily, holding out Raishinshi.
The girl looked surprised.
"You finally got one?" she asked.
Kiyoko nodded as the dark-haired boy looked at Raishinshi.
"Well, with 'his' hair," the boy started, looking up, "he 'does' look like a girl."
Once again, Kiyoko grew angry, more than ever now.
"Raishinshi does NOT look like a girl!" she said, angrily.
Ken's eyes bugged out.
"You named him 'Raishinshi'?" he asked in disbelief.
Kiyoko turned to him and nodded.
"Yeah, I named him after the character in 'Houshin Engi'," she said, "why? Tamiko named her Angel after Youzen, so what's wrong with my Angel being named Raishinshi?"
Tamiko nodded.
"That's right," she said, coming to her friends' defense, "and Youzen has long hair too and you're not calling 'him' a girl."
Ken shrugged.
"'Cause Youzen's cool," he explained, "and he has long hair in the Anime, so it fits."
The dark-haired boy nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, Raishinshi's hair isn't supposed to be down," he added, "why didn't you put his hair up?"
Kiyoko frowned.
"I tried to, I really did," she mumbled, looking at Raishinshi, "but it wouldn't stay up no matter what I did. I didn't want to put any chemicals in it. I was afraid he'd get messed up."
Ken rolled his eyes.
"He already is," he said, "both in the Anime 'and' in the Manga."
Tamiko looked at Ken, in shock. But that was nothing compared to how Kiyoko was. Her face was red and her teeth were clenched.
"What does 'that' mean?" she asked through clenched teeth.
Ken boldly faced her, a confident look on his face.
"It's simple," he explained, "he's loud, rude, and he blows his stack over everything. If you ask me, he's a little on the psychotic side."
Kiyoko tried to keep from bursting out while Tamiko got ready to ream Ken.
"Besides," the dark-haired boy interjected, calmly, "he's too impulsive and he 'always' gets into trouble. He can't do anything right."
Kiyoko was clearly upset at all this and held Raishinshi closer. Tamiko went over to her, sensing she was near the breaking point.
"And he's always talking about wanting to become a 'Hero'," Ken continued, folding his arms across his chest, "and he brings it up every five seconds. How's he gonna become a 'Hero' when he's always messing up?"
That did it.
"STOP IT!" Kiyoko cried, nearly getting the entire class' attention, "he's nothing like that! You have no right to insult him, neither of you!"
Tamiko, angry as well and hiolding Youzen close, faced the two boys.
"Ken, Takumi, what's the matter with you two?" she demanded, "nothing's wrong with Raishinshi, Anime or Manga. What IS your problem?"
Ken shrank back a little. Takumi Odayaka, on the other hand, shook his head.
"We're just telling the truth," he said, "he's not the best person to name your Angel after."
"That 'is' a lie."
The four kids turned to Takumi's sister, Yuri Odayaka. She had been silent up until now and was currently frowning at the two boys. Takumi gave her a shrug.
"We were only telling the truth, sis," he said.
Yuri shook her head.
"No, you were telling the 'half-truth'," she said, walking into the group.
She stopped in front of Kiyoko, who was clearly upset. She looked down at Raishinshi. Even in an upright position, his eyes were still closed, and his head lowered. Yuri smiled and patted him on the head. This confused Kiyoko.
"It's true, he can be a little childish and rude," Yuri began, "however, he's not the person you just described. He's young, like us, so 'of course' he gets into trouble. All young boys do."
Hearing this, both boys blushed a little.
"And I don't see anything wrong with him wanting to be a Hero," Yuri continued, "it's what he wants to be when he grows up. And he's not a monsterous person like you say. He has a gentler side; he cares about his family and his teammates, even if he doesn't always show it. Isn't that why you like him, Kiyoko?"
Kiyoko gave a start, but then nodded.
"Yes, he's a very good person," she said, saying what she felt, "he never gives up, he always fights his hardest, and even though he yells at others, that doesn't mean he hates them. I named my Angel after him because he's a strong fighter when he needs to be and he doesn't let his weakness' get in the way."
Tamiko began to clap as both Kiyoko and Yuri smiled at one another. Yuri was good at observing things, even when it was Anime. She was usually shy, like her brother, only she didn't bear a negative outlook on things. Ken was scratching the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
"Yeah, well, that may be true," he said, "but he's not the best of the group to me."
Takumi nodded.
"Yes, sorry Kiyoko," he said, "but I still don't think of Raishinshi as a very good choice for your Angels' name."
Kiyoko frowned. Tamiko, however, did not.
"No one even asked your opinions in the first place," she snapped, "if you didn't have anything nice to say, you should've stayed quiet."
Before the boys could reply, the bell rang, and everyone had to go to their seats. Yuri gave Kiyoko an, 'I'm sorry' look before going to her seat. Sighing, Kiyoko took her seat behind Tamiko.
"Don't worry," Tamiko said, turning to her friend, "you picked a great name."
Kiyoko nodded, still sad. She looked down at Raishinshi. He, too, seemed to frown as he continued to sleep. Kiyoko's face then got determined.
(I don't care what they say,) she told herself, (I'm going to prove to them that Raishinshi 'is' a good fighter despite their retorts.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The minute school was out, Kiyoko ran out of the classroom, and out of the school building at top speed. Normally, she, Tamiko, and some of their friends walked home together. But this day was different. She had talked to Tamiko and they worked out a plan. Tamiko would bring Ken, Takumi, and Yuri to the local Piffle Princess while Kiyoko went ahead of them. Why? So she could have enough time to enter a game.
As she ran down the street and past the flower shops, she thought about the discussion earlier that day.
(I can't believe they'd say those things about Raishinshi! Ken's only seen the first three DVD's of Houshin Engi. He didn't see what I saw!) Kiyoko thought, still mad at the two boys, (and why did Takumi agree with him? He's got all six parts like me and Tamiko. Why's he being so negative towards Raishinshi?)
Then she thought of Yuri. She and Tamiko, and herself, were the only ones who came to Raishinshi's aid. She knew that Yuri could sense things about people, both Anime and real life. She knew Raishinshi better than any of them. She didn't like it when her brother would criticize Nataku by calling him an android. Each of them had their favorites. Tamiko obviously liked Youzen. Yuri liked Nataku. Ken was a big Taikoubou fan. And Takumi liked Tenka's character. And, of course, Kiyoko liked Raishinshi.
And the boys thought she was nuts for doing so.
(They only see his negative side,) she seethed, her shoes hitting the pavement harder, (if they'd only look past his outward appearance, they'd see how good he is!)
Kiyoko stopped after two blocks to catch her breath. She hated the fact that in every Anime she watched, people would criticize her favorite character. And ever since she watched Houshin Engi, Raishinshi had become her favorite out of all other Anime's it seemed. Her mother didn't mind, neither did her Dad, or Tamiko and Yuri. But Ken and Takumi thought he wasn't good enough and Aya used to say that he reminded her of a bratty kid. She didn't really care, then. She'd learned to block out criticism. But now they were insulting her Angel.
"I'll show them that Raishinshi is NOT messed up or psychotic!" Kiyoko vowed, and brought up her bag to take him out, "once they see us in action, they won't insult him at all."
As she fumbled with her bag, she thought she heard something behind her. At first she ignored it, but then....
"I'M WIGGLY ICCHAN!"
Kiyoko jumped and spun around. There was the man from yesterday, Icchan, hanging upside down from a tree branch in front of her, waving his arms in a funny pattern. Kiyoko jumped again.
"Gah! M-Mr. Icchan!" she stammered, gawking at him.
Icchan stopped wiggling and grinned at her.
"Hello there!" he exclaimed, climbing down from the tree branch, "we meet yet again."
Still a little nervous after seeing his strange behavior, Kiyoko nodded timidly. Icchan nodded back, then noticed a small, dark-haired head sticking out of her bag. He beamed.
"Ah, ha!" he shouted, pointing, "I see you've made your Angel."
Kiyoko snapped out of her daze and looked down at her bag. She nodded to Icchan.
"Yeah, I finished him yesterday," she said.
Icchan bent over to look at the small doll.
"May I?" he finally asked, holding out a hand.
Kiyoko looked a little startled.
"Huh? Oh, uh...yeah, sure," she said, taking out Raishinshi.
Icchan took the Angel from her, gently, and began to look him over. Icchan rubbed his chin as he did a full examination.
"Hmm, you did a great job with his outfit," he proclaimed "it fits him perfectly. And you're one of the very few people who've discovered the 're- skin' program."
Kiyoko looked embarrassed.
"Actually," she admitted, "a friend told me about it."
Icchan just shrugged and went back to examining Raishinshi.
"Hmm," he said again, turning Raishinshi around in his hands, "definitely a Lightweight model with an emphasis on Speed. Not a bad choice. You did pretty good."
Kiyoko blushed.
"What's his name?" Icchan asked, holding him at face level.
Kiyoko, after a moments' hesitation, replied:
"Raishinshi."
Icchan stopped examining and thought a moment.
"That name sounds familiar," he said to himself, then snapped his fingers in realization, "oh, yeah. Isn't that someone from a show you kids watch?"
Kiyoko nodded.
"Er, yes," she said, a little hesitant after what had gone on at school, "a show called 'Senkaiden Houshin Engi'."
Icchan smiled.
"I knew it!" he announced, "you named him after that bat boy, right?"
A little surprised that he knew about it, Kiyoko nodded, but then got on the offensive.
"Yes, but you better not say anything mean about him like the kids at school did," she snapped, her face getting hard.
Icchan blinked.
"I wasn't going to say anything bad," he reassured, causing Kiyoko to relax, "it seems your classmates dislike your taste in men."
Kiyoko instantly turned beet red.
"Er, er, er, um," Kiyoko could do nothing but stammer upon hearing 'that' statement.
Icchan rolled his eyes.
"Oi, it was just a joke," he said, "but you seem to be upset about it."
Kiyoko frowned and nodded.
"Everyone always seems to dislike him," she explained, "even in the Anime multimedia of that show, he always seems to be left out. I hate it! Why do people dislike him so much?"
Icchan adjusted his glasses and looked back down at Raishinshi.
"He looks different from the others and he has a very short temper," he explained, "all that makes you think he's a monster. What was your first opinion when you saw him?"
Kiyoko blinked in surprise, then looked down a little ashamed.
"I ...thought he was a youkai, a demon," she admitted, "but then I realized that he wasn't and stood up for him. To be honest, I like the way he looks."
Icchan nodded.
"I've gotta agree, nothing beats a thrill-seeking batboy! Flying through the night! Banishing evil!" Icchan announced, striking a pose, one hand in the air, pointing upward, and balancing on one leg.
Kiyoko stared at him.
"Well, yeah, I like him for that too," she said, slowly, "he fights for justice and wants to be a Hero. When my Dad was with us, he said that anyone who fights for that is a good person."
Icchan smiled and handed Raishinshi back to Kiyoko.
"You're Dad really 'does' sound like a good person," he stated, "so, what are you two gonna do now? Practice a little perhaps?
Kiyoko shook her head and began walking down the street.
"Nope, I'm going to fight with Raishinshi in a battle," she said, "and prove to those kids that he's not anything they said he was."
It took only a split second for what she said to register in Icchans' mind. When it did, he toppled over.
"You're going to enter a game already?!" he exclaimed, turning to her.
Kiyoko only nodded as she continued down the street.
Icchan thought a moment, smiled, and then got up.
"In that case," he said, running after her, "I'll cheer you on-" he looked at her, glasses shining, "-and give you tips in battle."
Kiyoko looked up at him, the slightest bit confused.
"You'd do that for me?" she asked, surprised, "but, we hardly know each other."
Icchan looked down at her and smiled.
"Well, it's the only polite thing to do," he said, arms folded behind his head, "and I'm really interested in how you two will battle."
Kiyoko smiled and began to pick up the pace in excitement.
"I've always wanted to have an Angel Fight," she said, looking up at the sky, "now's my chance. I can't wait to tell Dad!"
Icchan smiled as he watched her head down the street.
(I can't wait either,) he thought, (because if I'm right-), he looked up at a passing cloud in thought, (-then the surprise of this years' Tournament won't be wasted.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Piffle Princess building was packed. The food court was filled with visitors of all ages and kids were going through the gift shops like it was a candy store. People crowded the lobby. People were going up the staircase to watch Angel Layer battles on the top floor. And that's where Kiyoko headed without hesitation, with Icchan following behind her at a moderate pace.
Unseen by these two were a couple of people. A woman and a young teenager who had just come in only a few minutes ago were searching the stores' lobby.
"Kiyoko said that she'd be here," Mrs. Yume said, scanning the crowd, "but I don't see her anywhere."
Aya sighed and lazily scanned the crowd as well.
"Mom, there are a lot of people here, and even more kids," she stated, "and she might not even be downstairs, she might be upstairs."
Mrs. Yume stopped scanning and turned to her eldest daughter.
"Why?" she inquired, "what's upstairs?"
Aya looked up at the ceiling.
"Only Angelic Layer battles," she said, "Kiyoko likes watching them."
Mrs. Yume thought a moment.
"She seemed really excited about coming here today," she mused, "and all to just watch?"
Hearing this, Aya froze.
(Oh, no,) she thought, and headed for the stairs.
Mrs. Yume looked up after her daughter.
"What's wrong, Aya?" she asked, following her.
Aya stopped at the edge of the stairs.
"She's going to enter a Tournament!" she called over her shoulder.
Her mother blinked.
"Why is that bad?" she asked, confused.
Aya was already on her way upstairs.
"She hasn't even practiced yet!" she shouted, "she'll be clobbered!"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
By the time Icchan had caught up with her, Kiyoko was already at the Registration Desk. Icchan fixed his glasses, actually feeling nervous.
(Hmm, is this really such a good idea?) he thought, (even though 'she' got through her first match without practicing, 'she' wasn't as hot-headed as Kiyoko is today.)
As he watched her smile as she received a 'Game Card' though, he smiled.
(But, then again,) he thought, as Kiyoko approached him, (self-confidence is a MUST for Angelic Layer. She might be able to pull it off.)
"Mr. Icchan, look!" Kiyoko said, triumphantly holding up the 'Game Card' with the number 12 on it.
Icchan nodded.
"Good, now, you do realize that you're going to be playing this match by ear, right?" he asked.
Kiyoko tilted her head to one side.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean," Icchan re-started, trying to find a way to explain this, "you haven't practiced with Raishinshi at all. You're going to have to learn the mental controls as you go along. And you might make some mistakes, some might be fatal."
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi and then back at Icchan, a confident look on her face.
"Don't worry," she assured, "I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides, my Dad let me control 'his' Angel one time during a practice. I can manage."
Upon hearing that, Icchan started to worry again. But, before he could protest....
"Kiyoko? Yume Kiyoko? Please report to Layer 12 for your match!" came a voice over the speakers.
Kiyoko beamed.
"That's me!" she cheered, running to the Layer that was numbered 'Layer 12'.
Icchan sighed and followed.
(She's definitely HIS daughter,) he thought, almost fondly.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Are you SURE she's here?"
"Yes, of course I am!"
Tamiko was wandering on the second level of Piffle Princess, followed by an exhausted Ken, a bored Takumi, and an interested Yuri. They had arrived only a minute ago and had been searching everywhere for Kiyoko. After a while, they found the Tournament Layers, but still no Kiyoko.
"Maybe she chickened out," Ken suggested, only to cringe as Tamiko shot him a death glared.
"She'd never do that," she stated, firmly, continuing to lead her group through the crowd.
Takumi looked at the poster-covered walls.
"She hasn't even practiced it," he pointed out, "how's she going to battle?"
Tamiko shrugged, a little worried about it herself.
"Knowing her, she'll manage," she said.
Suddenly, Yuri stopped, and looked at a Layer that was across from her. Takumi and the other noticed this and stopped as well.
"What's up sis?" he asked.
Yuri said nothing, she merely pointed, smiling.
The others followed the direction she was pointing to and gasped when they saw...
"Kiyoko!" Tamiko cried in surprise.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Hello Miss. What's your name?"
"Yume Kiyoko."
The announcer lady smiled. Kiyoko smiled back. She was in the Layer area. Lots of people were surrounding her and the Layer, eager to see the events of the battle. Icchan was also there, waiting by Kiyoko's seat on the West Side. His expression was unreadable. The other Deus had already been introduced and now it was Kiyoko's turn.
In back of the crowd, watching from a distance was a dark-dressed figure. It was a boy. He had long black hair that was in a ponytail that went a ways past his shoulders and dark navy blue eyes. He wore a black shirt covered by a dark purple jacket, blue jeans, and a pair of black and white sneakers. He was watching Kiyoko with a bleak expression.
(A newbie. She looks pretty confident,) he thought, watching Kiyoko, (wonder how long that'll last?)
As he continued to watch, the announcer continued with her job.
"That's a real nice name," she commented, after hearing Kiyoko's name, and looked down at Raishinshi, "and such a neat-looking Angel. What's her name?"
Kiyoko sweat-dropped and almost toppled over. Icchan had to hide a grin. Where Tamiko and co. were, the boys began to giggle like mad. Kiyoko, on the other hand, recovered, and leaned closer to the microphone the lady held.
"HIS name is Raishinshi," she both stated and corrected, firmly.
The announcer blinked and looked at Raishinshi more closely. Now it was 'her' turn to sweat-drop.
"Oh, my! I'm so sorry," she apologized, noticing the difference.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Anyway, please have a seat over there."
Kiyoko went over to the seat where Icchan was standing besides and sat down. The other Deus, a High School girl in a gray and white uniform, sat across from her. Her Angel was a girl. She had shoulder length mahogany hair and a fair complexion. She wore a soft red shirt with tan shoulder guards held in place by a clasp that crossed her breast and back and a red choker was around her neck. Attached to it was a bright red Angel Cord. She had bright red gloves that stopped at her elbows. She wore ankle length tan boots with red lining. She had a tan, red-rimmed skirt that went down to her knees. Kiyoko didn't catch the Angle's name, but Icchan said that she was a strong Angel. She didn't how he knew, but she 'was' curious.
Kiyoko lifted up the blue, pink visor headset and slid it onto her head. She pressed the button on the side and with an audible 'shwoop!' the wings rose on the side. The other girl already had hers on.
"I guess you 'do' know some stuff," Icchan said, watching Kiyoko.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yep, and I just 'know' that we can do this," she said, looking down at Raishinshi.
Icchan nodded, but still looked a bit worried.
(I hope she knows the procedure,) he thought.
At the same time, Mrs. Yume and Aya had reached the top of the stairs, and had located Kiyoko.
"There she is," Mrs. Yume stated, pointing to the Layer.
Aya looked and slapped her forehead.
(Sis, you're in WAY over your head!) she thought.
"And now, get ready everyone!" the announcer declared and turned to the Layer, "Entry Angel!"
Instantly, the Layer lit up, and the box screen above the Layer turned on, revealing both pictures of the Angels, their Damage Gauges filled to 100%, and the timer set for 10 minutes. The High School girl stood up and did her Entry first.
"Use your power to defeat the foe, Vesta!" she declared and threw her Angel into the Layer, "Angel, fall-in!"
Vesta flew towards the Layer, eyes closed. The minute she slid through the Layer's invisible force field, her mahogany eyes opened. She executed two somersaults before she landed square on the Layer. Her legs were apart, her fists were clenched, and she smiled eagerly at her opponent.
Kiyoko blinked.
"Huh?" she said, absent-mindedly.
Icchan faced her.
"Before you send your Angel into the Layer, you have to give an Entry. Then you have to throw your Angel into the Layer," he explained, "after he gets through the force field, you take over."
Kiyoko nodded and looked down at Raishinshi.
"Let's do this," she told him.
Back in the crowd, Tamiko frowned.
"I hope she knows what to do," she murmured.
Ken crossed his arms.
"If we're lucky, maybe we'll get a good laugh," he said, smirking.
Takumi and Yuri were silent as they eagerly watched the Layer.
Across from them and the Layer, Kiyoko's family watched.
"Good luck, Kiyoko," her mother whispered as Aya watched.
The boy also continued to gaze at Kiyoko.
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi once more, nodded in determination, and drew back the hand that held Raishinshi.
"Let's go, Raishinshi!" she cried, throwing him with all her might at the Layer.
He sailed through the air, still peacefully resting. He passed through the force field, it rippled as he did so. Kiyoko immediately focused.
(Okay, Raishinshi,) she thought, (land, now!)
But he didn't. Eyes still closed, limbs unmoving, he stopped in mid-air for a second before falling with a small 'thud' on the Layer. The people around her started to chuckle.
"Hah! Told'ya!" Ken said, pointing triumphantly as he giggled.
Takumi merely shook his head. Takumi slapped her forehead while Yuri simply kept watching. Across the room, Mrs. Yume's face was clouded in confusion.
"Why didn't he land like the other Angel?" she wondered aloud.
Aya sighed, just like the boy did not to far next to her.
Kiyoko, meanwhile, was looking at Raishinshi in a mixture of panic and confusion.
"W-w-what happened?" she asked, her worried eyes on Raishinshi, "why didn't he land?"
Icchan faced her again.
"What did you do once he was inside the Layer?" he asked, urgently.
Kiyoko looked up at him.
"I...told him to land," she said, confused.
Icchan sighed.
"You don't just 'tell' an Angel mentally what to do," he explained, "you have to focus."
"But I was!" Kiyoko protested.
Icchan shook his head.
"No, you just gave him a command and nothing more," he said, more gently, "you need to visualize."
Kiyoko stared at him.
"Visualize?" she asked.
Icchan nodded.
"Yes," he said, turning back to the Layer, "picture in your mind that Raishinshi is standing up or he won't get up."
Kiyoko nodded slightly and turned back to the Layer. Raishinshi was sprawled out on his right side, his arms and legs were laid to his left. His expression seemed a bit pained. Kiyoko winced. Icchan was right. She had been too quick to battle and she had already goofed before the match had started. Pushing the thoughts of guilt and the happenings around her aside, she focused at the task at hand.
She had to make Raishinshi stand.
(Raishinshi?) Kiyoko thought.
He didn't flinch. She tried again, visualizing the action she wanted.
(Please Raishinshi, you've got to stand up,) she thought.
He didn't move. Kiyoko squeezed her eyes shut even tighter.
(Raishinshi, please stand!) she thought, desperately.
He still didn't move. Kiyoko could sense this and grew nervous. Did he hate her?
(Please!) she mentally cried, gently.
On the Layer, ever so slowly, Raishinshi's bright brown eyes slowly opened. Then, still slowly, Raishinshi attempted to stand. He rolled over onto all fours and placed his hands flat on the Layer. He pushed forward, causing the lower half of his body to rise in the air. He stretched out his legs. They straightened, jerkily, but then buckled under him. He tried again, this time his legs straightened, and stayed straight. All the while, Kiyoko kept focusing on him, and the image of him standing.
Raishinshi pushed himself onto his feet, his upper body still bent. He put one hand on his knee and attempted to straighten. But his upper body wouldn't budge. He then put his other hand on his other knee and pushed upwards again. This time, however, his upper body straightened up. He lifted his head up and turned to Kiyoko.
At the sound of mumbling around her, Kiyoko opened her eyes, and looked up at the Layer. There was Raishinshi. He was standing up and had his body turned to her. He was looking at her with bright brown eyes. He smiled slightly at her.
"He...stood up," Kiyoko said, numbly, then smiled, "Raishinshi stood up for me!"
The people around her clapped and cheered at the small victory. To her right, in the crowd, Tamiko and Yuri were smiling.
"He stood up!" Tamiko cried, grinning, "I knew she'd pull it off!"
Yuri nodded and continued to smile as the boys watched amazed. To Kiyoko's left, her mother was ecstatic.
"He stood! He stood!" she kept crying, "my baby's Angel stood up!"
Aya rolled her eyes, but flashed a slight smile.
(Maybe there IS hope,) she thought.
The boy, a ways beside her, didn't look all to impressed at Kiyoko.
Icchan, on the other hand, WAS pleased.
(Brings back old memories,) he thought.
"Now then!" the announcer cried into the mike, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded, issuing the match.
Vesta wasted no time in attacking. She ran forward, heading straight for Raishinshi. Kiyoko gave a start.
"Stay focused!" Icchan told her, "and make an image!"
Vesta drew closer, her hands balling into fists.
"An image of what?" Kiyoko asked, nervous.
"Of him dodging!" Icchan said, watching Vesta approach.
Vesta was only a foot away from Raishinshi. Raishinshi turned to her just as she raised her right fist. With a panicked expression, Raishinshi leapt forward, pressed his hands against Vesta's shoulders, and flipped over her just as she punched. Raishinshi landed behind her, about a foot away, in a crouching position. Vesta turned to him, her surprised expression reflecting how her Deus felt.
Kiyoko let out a sigh of relief while, to her right, Tamiko was whooping, loudly.
"Hey not too shabby for your first flip," Icchan commented, "but you'll have to do more than jump. First, try getting Raishinshi used to running."
Kiyoko nodded and re-focused on the fight.
Vesta charged at Raishinshi again. Raishinshi tensed. Once close enough, Vesta threw another punch. Raishinshi dodged left, stumbling a bit. Vesta punched at him again and Raishinsh sidestepped this time, a bit steadier. Vesta tried a left hook. Raishinshi jumped back, nearly getting hit. Vesta tried to rush him, but he sidestepped again. Both Vesta and her Deus bore an annoyed expression while Kiyoko and Raishinshi shared a tense look.
"Wait-a-go Kiyoko!" Tamiko cheered, with Yuri simply smiling next to her.
A little ways to their left, a young girl moved forward in the crowd to get a better look. She was somewhere around 7 and had pale skin, waist length dark hair, and violet eyes. She wore an Eriol Academy uniform colored white and green: the Elementary grade uniform. She watched Kiyoko and then looked to Raishinshi, who was currently ducking a right hook.
"She seems to handle her Angel well," the girl murmured to herself.
Back on the Layer, Raishinshi managed to get some distance between him and Vesta. Kiyoko was studying her and Raishinshi's positions.
"You're doing good," Icchan said, moving closer to Kiyoko, "but you have to eventually attack."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Um, attack?" she asked, hesitantly. That was one thing that her Dad 'didn't' teach her.
"Visualized him attacking," Icchan reminded her as Vesta began to advance.
(Visualize? But what sort of attack should he execute?) Kiyoko thought, watching as Vesta got closer, then....(that's it!)
Raishinshi, his expression getting a little steadier, held his ground as Vesta came into striking range. Drawing back her fist, she threw a right hook at Raishinshi's face. Raishinshi immediately ducked. He balled his hand into a fist and sprung up, delivering a right upper cut to Vesta's chin. Vesta's head snapped back and fell on her rear. Her Damage Gauge dropped to 90%.
Kiyoko smiled. She connected!
Icchan also smiled. Tamiko was getting about as ecstatic as Kiyoko's Mom was across the room.
"Oh my! He hit her!" Mrs. Yume cried, excited, "Kiyoko struck first!"
Aya shook her head. She hated it when her mother got excited. It was a little embarrassing. To her right, the boy didn't say anything, only watched with his bleak expression smeared across his face. Back across the room, Yuri smiled.
Back on the Layer, Vesta had recovered, and was now running at Raishinshi again. Raishinshi tensed and got ready to duck or dodge a punch. But Vesta didn't throw any punches. When she was only a few inches away, she spun around, and whipped out her right leg. A spin kick. The move caught Raishinshi and Kiyoko off guard. Vesta's foot connected with the right side of Raishinshi's face, sending him flying to one side of the Layer. He crashed to the Layer floor, teeth clenched. His Damage dropped to 90%, like Vesta.
"Raishinshi!" Kiyoko murmured in fright.
Icchan leaned over to her.
"You've got to stay on your guard," he warned her, "now that Vesta's made contact, she'll try fiercer attacks."
Kiyoko nodded and gritted her teeth.
Vesta came at Raishinshi again, wearing a confident grin. Raishinshi got up, stumbling a little. As she got into striking range, Raishinshi kicked his left leg forward, aiming at Vesta's face. But he wasn't fast enough. Vesta grabbed his foot before it could connect with her face. Raishinshi's face expressed shock while Vesta's grin widened. She threw his leg up over his head, causing him to flip over on his stomach. She raised a foot to stomp him, but Raishinshi rolled out of the way in time. He rolled some distance away and got up. Vesta ran at him. Raishinshi let her come close enough until she was only inches away. She lunged forward in a right jab, but Raishinshi caught her fist, fell onto his back, and kicked Vesta in the stomach. She went flying into the middle of the Layer, where Raishinshi followed her.
"Good," Yuri said, quietly, "she got him away from the edge."
Takumi nodded as Tamiko and Ken leaned forward in place, eager to see more.
Vesta got up, both her and her Deus were annoyed again. As Raishinshi got close enough, he threw a left jab at Vesta. Vesta ducked it and, to Kiyoko's horror, jump kicked Raishinshi in the face. The force caused him to fly back some inches and slide a few more on the surface of the Layer. Vesta ran at him and, when she was halfway there, jumped into the air. Raishinshi looked up in mild confusion as Vesta began to descend. Kiyoko then noticed that her knees were pointing down. Kiyoko gasped.
(Dodge, Raishinshi!) she cried, mentally.
Raishinshi rolled to the side just as Vesta landed. Both got up, but Vesta was faster. She gave him a left hook and kicked him square in the stomach. Raishinshi's face grew pained, but Vesta wasn't done yet. She raised her fist.
"Block!" both Icchan and Tamiko cried in unison.
Raishinshi hardly had any time to react, but he managed to raise his left arm to block Vesta's right jab, but didn't react in time to block her left. It hit him right in the face.
"Oh my goodness!" Mrs. Yume cried, "he's getting hurt!"
Aya nodded, sighing. She knew this would happen.
"She's losing focus," she said, quietly, watching her sister's face tense more and more.
As Vesta delivered a right hook across Raishinshi's face, the 7 year-old girl continued to watch. But she was smiling.
" I hope the boy Angel wins," she said, casting Kiyoko a knowing look.
Vesta gave Raishinshi another jab in the face, seeing as how he was too stunned to function. She then delivered a right forward kick that sent Raishinshi flying back a foot and a half. He landed on his back. Shakily, he pushed himself up on his hands and looked up.....only to see Vesta over him, fist raised.
"Raishinshi!" Kiyoko cried, eyes wide.
Vesta delivered a punch across his face and struck him again with another spin kick. He slid back a couple inches, hurting. His Damage was now at 55% and the Damage Read-out in Kiyoko's visor showed damage to the face, waist, and shoulders. Vesta moved in again, but just as she brought her foot down, Raishinshi back-flipped out of harms way. Vesta rushed him again.
"You've got to block!" Icchan called.
Kiyoko nodded and mentally told Raishinshi to do so. Raishinshi held his forearms together vertically, covering his face and upper body. Vesta began to continually punch at his blockade. Even though it wasn't serious, Raishinshi's Damage was going down, one point by one point.
"C'mon Kiyoko," Tamiko mumbled.
The timer was at 2 min. and 40 sec.
"I told'ya he was lame," Ken said, bluntly.
"It's over," Takumi said, actually sounding disappointed.
But Yuri and the other girl kept watching.
Kiyoko was watching the whole battle with despair.
(What was I thinking?) she thought, (if I had only practiced like Icchan wanted me to, then Raishinshi wouldn't be getting hurt the way he is.)
The visor's Damage Read-out showed that his arms were attaining damage.
"Kiyoko, you can't give up!" Icchan told her, "you 'can' do this!"
Kiyoko was about to protest when...
"Kiyoko!!"
Startled, but still keeping her thoughts on Raishinshi, Kiyoko turned to her right to see Tamiko waving to her.
"Tamiko?" she said, quietly. She forgot that they had come to watch.
"Don't give up Kiyoko!!" Tamiko cried out, getting everyone's attention.
Then....
"Sweetie!!"
Kiyoko turned to her left and was surprised to see her mother and Aya there in the crowd.
"Give it your best Kiyoko!!" Mrs. Yume called, waving.
Even Aya joined in.
"Focus!!" she called.
The boy in black watched, getting a little less bored.
Kiyoko took all this in as the timer hit 2 min.
(Everyone's counting on me to win,) she thought, (I told myself that I'd fight my hardest when the time came. And I told my Dad that I'd be a Champion in Angelic Layer one day. I came here to prove that Raishinshi isn't weak and that we're both good fighters. Am...am I throwing away all my promises? All my dreams?)
She gritted her teeth.
"Never!" she cried.
Just as Vesta drew back for another punch, Raishinshi removed his block, and, with amazing speed, delivered a right hook across Vesta's face. He then executed a fierce jump kick, sending Vesta flying backwards. She hit the Layer and slid a bit before stopping. Her Damage dropped from 88 to 50%. This shocked everyone who was watching. Vesta's Deus stared at Raishinshi in surprise. How did he get so fast all of a sudden?
Now, both Raishinshi and Kiyoko bore a look of fierce determination.
(I won't quit!) Kiyoko thought, (I'm not going to let my family OR Raishinshi down! We're going to become Angelic Layer champions, just like my Dad and his Angel! Just like I promised him!)
"Let's go, Raishinshi!" she cried, a new determination taking over.
Raishinshi launched himself forward into a run. Vesta was already up and running. Both Angels charged at one another. Raishinshi was at 40% health and Vesta was at 50%. The timer was currently at 1 min. It was going to be a tight battle. Both Angels bore determined looks and ran full speed at one another. Suddenly, Vesta launched herself forward into a leap. Raishinshi did the same thing. Both were on a collision course and were approaching fast.
Kiyoko's family and friends leaned forward, mouths open, and hoping for the best. Icchan smiled and clenched his fists. The little girl smiled as she watched the Angels advance. The boy watched, expectantly.
Vesta drew back her fist, smiling in confidence. Raishinshi pulled back his fist as well, determined. They thrust their fists forward and...
Crack!
Raishinshi's fist struck Vesta in the solar plexus, hard.
Vesta fell away from his fist, flying backward, and landing in a heap 4 feet away, almost falling out of the Layer. Her Damage Gauge fell to 0 and the buzzer sounded, stopping the timer at 30 sec. The match was over.
At first no one spoke, but Icchan smiled, as did the little girl, who simply walked back into the crowd. The announcer then pointed to Kiyoko's corner.
"Raishinshi Win!"
Immediately, the crowd erupted in cheering and applause. Kiyoko was in shock. It all happened so fast. She stared at Raishinshi, who stood there, watching the other Deus pick up Vesta in disbelief.
"You did it Kiyoko!!" Tamiko cried, throwing her arms around her friend, and squeezing, "I knew you could!"
Kiyoko snapped out of her daze, but was then tackled by her mother.
"You did it! You did it! You did it!" she cried, hugging the breath out of her daughter, "oh, sweetie I'm so proud of you!"
Kiyoko smiled and looked over to Aya, who was behind her Mom. Aya sighed, fondly, and gave her sister a thumbs-up. Kiyoko returned the sign with a smile.
"Woah, that was awesome!" Ken cried, running over, Yakumi and Yuri in tow.
Kiyoko looked over at him.
"Still think Raishinshi 'isn't' cool?" she asked, smirking.
Ken shook his head and Takumi shrugged in defeat.
"I guess not," he said.
Kiyoko smiled as her mother and Tamiko pulled away.
"You 'should' think that," she huffed, playfully, "because Raishinshi used that move on Taikoubou in episode 7."
Takumi, Ken, Aya, and even Tamiko stared at her.
"He did?" Ken and Tamiko said in unison.
"Yes," Yuri piped in, "the punch that shattered a piece of rock beneath Taikoubou."
Takumi stared at her.
"Really?" he asked.
Yuri nodded while Kiyoko laughed.
"At least someone pays attention," she said, as she turned to her right to thank Icchan.
But to her surprise, he was gone.
"Huh?" she said, "where'd Mr. Icchan go?"
Her friends and family all blinked.
"Icchan?" Aya repeated, "who's he?"
But Kiyoko was to busy looking to reply. She was also to busy looking to not notice her mother's knowing smile.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Icchan had left the moment he saw Kiyoko's friends running over. He was exiting Piffle Princess when he turned to look behind him.
"Looks like my hunch was right," he said, grinning.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Uh...konya mo mata...*
The boy dressed in black, without even a hint of satisfaction or disappointment, turned, and left.
*...hakanai hoshi zora.*
Raishinshi walked over to where Kiyoko sat, looking up at her. Kiyoko removed her headset and carefully picked Raishinshi up.
*Uh...hikaru hoshi ni...*
"Thank you, Raishinshi," she whispered to him, holding him close.
*...negai o kakeru kara*
Raishinshi didn't reply, he only smiled up at his Deus.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Alright!! I've completed Chapter 2 at last! It took me a while to type out the battle sequence, but I think it came out good. And I'm sorry if it sounds like the Anime of Hikaru's first battle, I didn't intend it to be. Next chapter, Kiyoko does some practice time with someone who you'd never suspect. And the Tokyo Prelims are coming up, so I need to know what days they're held on in the Anime. E-mail me to give me info. Review the fic and tell me what you think :)